Despite decades separatingThe Gilded AgeandDownton Abbey,Julian Fellowes' two hit period dramas can and possibly will still connect.Downton Abbeybecame a global phenomenon on ITV in the UK and Masterpiece PBS in the United States. After 6 seasons,Downton Abbeyjumped to feature films, with the third and reportedly final movie,Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, premiering on September 12.
The massive success ofDownton Abbeyled to HBO approaching Julian Fellowes to create an American version. AfterDownton Abbeyended its TV run, Fellowes createdThe Gilded Age, which premiered on HBO in 2022. Set in New York City’s high society in the 1880s,The Gilded Age’s corsets, top hats, and family-driven soap opera about the haves and have-nots resembleDownton Abbey, andthe two shows are spiritual cousins.However,The Gilded Agehappens a considerable amount of time beforeDownton Abbey’s first episode.
The Gilded Age Starts 30 Years Before Downton Abbey Begins
Downton Abbey Is The 20th Century, While The Gilded Age Is The 19th Century
The Gilded Agetakes place 30 years before the start ofDownton Abbey.The Gilded Agebegins in 1882, with the completion of the palace on East 61st Street and 5th Avenue owned by George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), which is directly across the street from the home of Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski).Downton Abbeystarts in April 1912 after thesinking of the RMS Titanicthat killed Downton’s presumptive heir, Patrick Crawley.
The Gilded AgeandDownton Abbeysharethemes about societal progress and social change.The Russells, representing"new money,“are a threat to the established"old money"guard of high society, known as The 400, led byMrs. Astor (Donna Murphy). Yet Bertha Russell charges ahead to claim a piece of New York as her own, and overturn the old order.Downton Abbeysees the Crawley family weather sweeping changes in England, from World War I to the gradual end of their Victorian and Edwardian traditions and way of life.
The Gilded Age’s Timeline Moves Slower Than Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey Has Several Time Jumps In 6 Seasons & 3 Movies
The Gilded Ageis notably different fromDownton Abbeyin the way the HBO series' timeline has progressed thus far.The Gilded Ageseason 1took place in 1882, whileThe Gilded Ageseason 2 began on Easter Sunday, 1883, and continued into October, which was the start of opera season.The Gilded Ageseason 3 jumps ahead to 1884, starting in late winter. However, this amounts toroughly one year per season ofThe Gilded Age.
From the first episode ofDownton AbbeytoDownton Abbey: A New Era, the Crawley family’s saga spans about 18 years.
Downton Abbeyincludesmultiple time jumps.Downton Abbeyseason 1 spans two years, from 1912-1914.Downton Abbeyseason 2 picks up two years later and spans three years, from 1916-1919, including the end of World War I.Downton Abbeyseason 3 takes place from 1920-1921, season 4 happens from 1922-1923, season 5 takes place in 1924, and season 6 in 1925. The firstDownton Abbeymovie is set in 1927 andDownton Abbey: A New Erais in 1928.Downton Abbey: The Grand Finaleis expected to take the Crawleys into 1930.
How The Gilded Age Connects To Downton Abbey Despite Being A Prequel
The Gilded Age Season 3 May Reveal A Downton Abbey Crossover
When creatingThe Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes mused that it could be set in the same universe asDownton Abbey.However,Fellowes did not draw any direct connections betweenDowntonandThe Gilded Agein its first two seasons, so that HBO’s series could establish itself and stand on its own. Excitingly,The Gilded Ageseason 3 will reportedly contain aDownton Abbeycrossoveror reference, although possibly not the one fans expect: A young Cora Levinson (Elizabeth McGovern) being introduced before she meets Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville).
The Gilded Age’s 30-year head start onDownton Abbeymeans manyDowntonfavorites haven’t been born yet. However, several notable names fromDowntonare alive in the 1880s, including a young Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), who would be in her 40s, and teenage Robert Crawley and Cora Levinson. Even Carson (Jim Carter) is alive, although he is years away from becoming Downton Abbey’s butler.Downton Abbeycharacters who have never been seen but are alive duringThe Gilded Ageinclude Violet’s husband, Patrick Crawley, 6th Earl of Grantham.
Cora Levinson isn’t brought to England to find a husband by her mother, Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine), until 1888. This would happen inThe Gilded Ageseason 7 if HBO’s series continues to progress one year per season. HowThe Gilded Ageseason 3 andDownton Abbeywill potentially cross over is one of the most enticing aspects for fans of both of Julian Fellowes' series, and it would set upDownton Abbeydecades before the Crawleys are awakened by news of the Titanic’s sinking.
The Gilded Age
Cast
The Gilded Age, set in 1882 during a time of economic prosperity, follows Marian Brook, an orphaned Southern general’s daughter, as she moves to New York City. She navigates society’s complexities with her aunts and Peggy Scott, an African-American masquerading as her maid, amidst the city’s opulent elite.
Downton Abbey
Set in the early 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the fictional Yorkshire estate. The series explores themes of social change, romance, and intrigue against the backdrop of historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, and the rise of the working class.
